Philadelphia Union

Are the Union shopping Danny Mwanga, as was reported by Ives Galarcep on Wednesday? “For the record we are not shopping Danny Mwanga,” Diego Gutierrez tells Kerith Gabriel. “A lot of teams are finding themselves in a tough spot in the market and are looking within the league to supplement. It just so happens that Danny is a guy with a bright future…Do we take calls about Danny? Sure we take calls about Danny all the time, but he’s our asset.”

John Hackworth adds, “Unless a team offered us $1 million and their first-round pick, Danny isn’t going anywhere.”

Who tops ESPN’s list of winners at the MLS SuperDraft? The Philadelphia Union does. “In the team’s short history, Philadelphia has managed to put together solid outings on draft day. This year was no different, as the team landed three players who can contribute.”

Peter Nowak describes his reaction to Chandler Hoffman being available for the Union to select. “I was very surprised. Chandler was the best option available. We didn’t hesitate. And we have another young forward to develop. Especially with being Generation adidas, we have the time to make it work.”

Hackworth says the circumstances of getting Hoffman was reminiscent of the Union getting Michael Farfan. “It’s very similar and pretty surprising. But good for us, right? We get one of the best young attacking players in the country, someone that’s proven to put the ball into the back of the net. There’s nothing more valuable in all of soccer.”

Alexi Lalas says of the the Union’s first pick Chandler Hoffman, “I think he has one of the best personalities in the draft. He has the ability to sell himself and to sell the game. These things are important.”

The Kansas City Star says of Hoffman, “While not in need of another striker with Sebastien Le Toux and Danny Mwanga leading the line, the Union couldn’t let a natural-born goalscorer slip past them.”

Hoffman knows Amobi Okugo and Kyle Nakazawa from when they were at UCLA. “I am very excited to get into the preseason, especially knowing those guys it definitely brings about a comfort level that I am very excited about,” says Hoffman.

CSN Philly says of Union second pick Greg Jordan “is known for his good passing vision, work ethic and consistent motor. You can’t go wrong with the hard-hat type, but with Amobi Okugo, Brian Carroll and off-season pick-up Gabriel Gomez, the Union are loaded at defensive mid.”

John Hackworth says of Raymon Gaddis, “He’s a guy I looked at for the national team back in the day, and I feel that had it not been for his injury, he would have been one of the top defenders in the draft. He’s a kid I expect will come in and push Sheanon [Williams] at the right back position.”

Union affiliate Reading United once again sees multiple alumni selected in the draft, including first pick Andrew Wenger and the Union’s Raymon Gaddis. That is one well put together organization – we salute you.

According to Goal.com, unnamed sources “in the Philadelphia Union” say “there is a possibility that the Adu could join Rayo Vallecano on a short-term loan.” But Adu’s agent, Richard Motzkin, “denies that Rayo has expressed an interest to loan his client, telling Goal.com that the reports are ‘not accurate.'”

MLS

Prost Amerika explains why a upcoming rule change in the Italian reserve league could mean more young Italian players coming to MLS.

Robbie Keane, who will play his first game for Aston Villa against Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan’s Everton on Saturday, says he has no plans to return to England permanently. “No, I’m quite happy in the MLS, I’ve really enjoyed the three months I’ve had there. It’s nice to have both. I’m happy to come back here for a couple of months then look forward to getting back with the Galaxy.”

2 Comments

Does anyone else think it’s a self-commentary on the state of American soccer that the consensus and eventual #1 draft pick doesn’t even have a position. He is a great player by all accounts, but at several different positions. And he’s 21. Looking at it from an international perspective, isn’t that a bad thing?